Department of Human Services awarded $660,422 SNAP bonus

More low-income families will receive crucial nutritional support, thanks to a federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) bonus of $660,422 awarded to the state’s Department of Human Services’ Benefits, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD).

DHS director Rachael Wong said Hawai‘i’s program placed among the top six in the nation for timeliness of applications. She credited the system’s increased effectiveness to the leadership of deputy director Pankaj Bhanot.

“Two million documents have been scanned, filed and used, which saves paper, increases efficiency and aligns with Gov. Ige’s initiative to streamline government services to benefit those whom we serve,” she said.